A Local Restaurant, A Local Coffee Distributor and a Thank You Note Can Make All the Difference

In the faceless, virtual world of the Internet and retail, a vendor's only tool for repeat business is to provide decent customer service.  At a minimum, that means timely delivery, a quality product and getting the order right.   Smart promotion can get the customers through the digital door.  Most times it takes more than all of those moves combined to be successful.

The story I'm about to tell you, reveals a superb example of supporting the local guy (and gal) while thinking globally and how it can benefit so many.

Silverback Coffee of Rwanda

John and I came across this remarkable company, Silverback Coffee of Rwanda by patronizing one of those unique little breakfast hotspots in the Valley, Charlie's Pantry.  The ever delightful Maria Di Salvio  who owns and runs Charlie's believes in making most of what you eat in her restaurant there on site.  She knows how to maximize flavor by using seasonal, farm fresh, locally sourced ingredients while crafting simply prepared dishes.  

Charlie's Pantry in Studio City, CA

On our first of many visits, we were immediately enticed by a most intoxicating aroma of coffee when we walked in the door.  Sometimes a fragrance fools the desire but in this case the aroma did not lie.  In fact, the aroma delivered on its promise with a sultry but richly mellow body leaving a slightly toasty after taste.  Funny thing about love at first sight (or taste in this case), you must know the name of the object you desire.  

Silverback Coffee and Charlie's have cleverly seized their ability to satisfy the senses while motivating customers to buy the coffee beans at the restaurant.  With subtle signage and a retail aspect to the restaurant we were hooked  We now buy a bag of Silverback's beans every time we visit Charlie's to satisfy our caffeine desires at home.

Charlie's Coffee Station

When we couldn't make it over to Charlie's, we tried to mail order from the distributor directly.  Low and behold, their offices are in Los Angeles.  Visiting their website, we learned so much more about the company's mission:

SILVERBACK COFFEE OF RWANDA™ supports its values by donating a percentage of its profits to organizations that build schools in Rwanda's local areas and provides services to widows and orphans as a result of the genocide.

In addition, together with the Rwandan government, SILVERBACK COFFEE OF RWANDA™ will improve the quality of care and growth of the native endangered silverback gorilla. Furthermore, our product can be traced to the farms where it's grown, to ensure fair wages and proper treatment of workers.

Not that I needed further encouragement to buy their product, but I'm confident their motivations are in harmony with my desire to put my money in worthwhile causes.  Imagine our delight when Silverback Coffee of Rwanda not only gave us good customer service, but the Founder & CEO Jack Karultetwa sent along a thank you note in his own handwriting no less!  What a great touch.

Jack's family became refugees of Rwanda during the 60's.  He ended up in college in Arizona where he discovered he had a talent for basketball.  Ultimately, he became a Harlem Globe Trotter with stints as an actor.  Now with means he, is able to help the poorest coffee farmers in his homeland realize their value and empowers them to become a part of a global economy.

 

By merely treating ourselves to breakfast out, not only did we keep our money local but we also helped in our own minor way on something of a much grander scale.  Thank you Charlie's Pantry and Silverback Coffee for providing us the opportunity to do so.   Do you have any similar stories?  I'd love to hear about it.